Evidentialism and its Discontents

Trent Dougherty

Includes lively responses to each essay by Earl Conee and Richard Feldman, the leading advocates of evidentialism

Provides a historical and conceptual introduction to the issues at stake

Evidentialism and its Discontents

Trent Dougherty

Description

Few concepts have been considered as essential to the theory of knowledge and rational belief as that of evidence. The simplest theory which accounts for this is evidentialism, the view that epistemic justification for belief--the kind of justification typically taken to be required for knowledge--is determined solely by considerations pertaining to one's evidence. In this ground-breaking book, leading epistemologists from across the spectrum challenge and refine evidentialism, sometimes suggesting that it needs to be expanded in quite surprising directions. Following this, the twin pillars of contemporary evidentialism--Earl Conee and Richard Feldman--respond to each essay. This engaging debate covers a vast number of issues, and will illuminate and inform.

Evidentialism and its Discontents

Trent Dougherty

Author Information

Trent Dougherty graduated from the University of Rochester, where he wrote a dissertation arguing against the notion that whether one knows depends on one's practical interests. He is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Baylor University, where he regularly teaches graduate seminars in epistemology, philosophy of language, and philosophy of religion. When not writing philosophy, he is usually riding a bike, often with his wife or one of his children.

Evidentialism and its Discontents

Trent Dougherty

Reviews and Awards

"This volume represents a significant contribution to a number of ongoing discussions in contemporary epistemology."--Joseph Shieber, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews